The Best Spring Recipe in Every State

Alabama: Easy Fresh Strawberry Pie

For my mother’s birthday, I made this strawberry pie recipe instead of a cake. Since it was mid-May in Oklahoma, the berries were absolutely perfect. It was a memorable occasion for the whole family. —Josh Carter, Birmingham, Alabama

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Alaska: Rhubarb Custard Cake

Rhubarb thrives in my northern garden and is one of the few crops the pesky moose don’t bother! Of all the desserts I’ve tried, this rhubarb custard cake is my first choice. It has old-fashioned appeal but is so simple to prepare. —Evelyn Gebhardt, Kasilof, Alaska

Arkansas: Creamy Baked Eggs with Chives

This recipe is so simple, and the eggs come out just as my husband likes them every time. If you like soft yolks, cook eggs for 9 minutes; for firmer yolks, cook for about 11 minutes. Don’t forget fresh spring chives for more flavor! —Macey Allen, Green Forest, Arkansas

California: Easter Ham

I serve this Easter ham every year. The sweet-spicy glaze turns a plain ham into a mouthwatering sensation. Everyone who tries it loves this juicy main dish! —Jessica Eymann, Watsonville, California

Colorado: Classic Lemon Bars

These bars are simple enough for a no-fuss dinner yet elegant enough for a special celebration. Regardless of when you serve them, they’ll be a hit. —Melissa Mosness, Loveland, Colorado

Ham and Brie Melts

Melty cheese, ham and apricot preserves offer a special change of pace from the classic grilled cheese. These quick, crispy sandwiches remind me of baked brie. —Bonnie Bahler, Ellington, Connecticut

Delaware: Can't Miss Coconut Custard Pie

This soft custard pie has a mild coconut flavor. Who wouldn’t love a hearty slice topped with a dollop of whipped cream? —Betty Swain, Bear, Delaware

Georgia: Strawberry Jam Cake

Every year I make this special strawberry jam cake, my favorite strawberry dessert, for the Relay for Life cake raffle. It has raised lots of money for a good cause. —Tammy Urbina, Warner Robins, Georgia

Idaho: Yogurt Pancakes

Get your day off to a great start with these yummy pancakes. Short on time? Make a batch on the weekend! — Cheryll Baber, Homedale, Idaho

Overnight Cherry Danish

Sometimes a cup of coffee just demands a sweet treat to go with it, and a fresh-baked cherry Danish is the perfect choice. This recipe is less complicated than most, with just a few minutes' prep and a slow, overnight rise.

Indiana: Amish Breakfast Casserole

Made with hash browns, bacon and plenty of melted cheese, this hearty Amish breakfast casserole is a make-ahead breakfast you can prep in 15 minutes.

Creamed Garden Potatoes and Peas

New potatoes and peas are treated to a creamy sauce for this special side. —Jane Uphoff, Cunningham, Kansas

Kentucky: Lemon Chess Pie

This bright and creamy lemon chess pie cuts beautifully and has a smooth texture. It’s one of my favorites. —Hannah LaRue Rider, East Point, Kentucky

Louisiana: New Orleans Beignets

These sweet, square and holeless French doughnuts are known as beignets. New Orleans’ traditional breakfast always includes a few of these powdered sugar delicacies. —Beth Dawson, Jackson, Louisiana

Maine: Spanakopita Pinwheels

I’m enthralled with spanakopita, and this spinach and feta pinwheel recipe was a quick and easy way to enjoy it. I have used this for teacher get-togethers and family events. —Ryan Palmer, Windham, Maine

Maryland: Shrimp Pasta Primavera

They say the way to a man’s heart is through his stomach. So when I invite that special guy to dinner, I like to prepare something equally wonderful. This well-seasoned pasta dish has lots of flavor, and it won’t hurt your budget! —Shari Neff, Takoma Park, Maryland

Tuscan-Style Roasted Asparagus

This is especially wonderful when locally grown asparagus is in season. It's so easy for celebrations because you can serve it hot or cold. —Jannine Fisk, Malden, Massachusetts

Strawberry Salad with Poppy Seed Dressing

My family is always happy to see this fruit and veggie salad on the table. If strawberries aren’t available, substitute mandarin oranges and dried cranberries. —Irene Keller, Kalamazoo, Michigan

Minnesota: Ham and Swiss Sliders

My next-door neighbor shared this ham and Swiss sliders recipe with me, and I simply cannot improve it! You can make it ahead and cook it quickly when company arrives. The combo of poppy seeds, ham and cheese, horseradish and brown sugar makes it so delicious. —Iris Weihemuller, Baxter, Minnesota

Brandy-Glazed Carrots

Carrots sport a light brandy sauce for a beautiful side with mass appeal. —Tammy Landry, Saucier, Mississippi

Missouri: Upside-Down Strawberry Shortcake

For a tasty twist, this special shortcake has a berry layer on the bottom. The tempting strawberry upside-down cake is a sweet that our family has savored for years. —Debra Falkiner, St. Charles, Missouri

Overnight Pancakes

Our kids love waking up to these golden, fluffy pancakes. The buttermilk batter is refrigerated overnight, making them perfect for busy mornings and special occasion breakfasts alike. —Lisa Sammons, Cut Bank, Montana

Asparagus Ham Dinner

I've been making this low-fat ham dinner for my family for years, and we always look forward to it. With asparagus, tomato, pasta and chunks of ham, it's a tempting blend of tastes and textures. —Rhonda Zavodny, David City, Nebraska

Nevada: Challah Bread Pudding

I created this challah bread pudding recipe after my mother-in-law told me that she liked bread pudding. I was on a mission to create a version that was so good she’d ask me for the recipe. It worked! This can be served for breakfast, brunch or dessert. —Marsha Ketaner, Henderson, Nevada

New Hampshire: Rhubarb Crisp

I found this strawberry rhubarb crisp recipe on a box of Quaker Oats about 20 years ago. It’s quick and easier to make than pie. It’s versatile, too, because you can add strawberries in spring or apples in fall. I usually pop it into the oven shortly before we sit down to eat so it’s still warm for dessert! —C.E. Adams, Charlestown, New Hampshire

New Jersey: Passover Rainbow Cookies

The name “rainbow cookies” is actually a bit of a misnomer for these classic New York treats. To make the pretty layered cookies, you’ll bake three thin cakes, spread jam between them and coat with smooth melted chocolate. —Shannon Sarna, South Orange, New Jersey

New Mexico: Rhubarbecue

This simmered sauce is a roller-coaster ride for your tongue. It’s a wonderful blend of complex flavors that goes with any meat. — Rd Stendel-Freels, Albuquerque, New Mexico

Strawberry Rhubarb Coffee Cake

Although my coffee cake makes a large pan, it never lasts very long! It's great for a Sunday brunch after church and nice to bring to family reunions, too. —Dorothy Morehouse, Massena, New York

North Carolina: Prosciutto Pasta Toss

I love quick, simple dishes, and this pasta with prosciutto and peas is one of my favorites. I prepare a tossed green salad while the pasta cooks and serve up a lovely light supper in minutes! —Laura Murphy-Ogden, Charlotte, North Carolina

North Dakota: Prosciutto-Wrapped Asparagus with Raspberry Sauce

Grilling the prosciutto with the asparagus gives this dish a salty crunch that’s perfect for dipping into a sweet glaze. When a delicious appetizer is this easy to prepare, you owe it to yourself to try it! —Noelle Myers, Grand Forks, North Dakota

Ohio: Spring Pea Soup

Truly a soup for the pea lover, this recipe originated with an idea in an old cookbook about eating better to live longer. Sauteed potatoes add body to an easy soup with good texture and superb pea flavor. —Denise Patterson, Bainbridge, Ohio

Oklahoma: Cheeseburger Pie

This cheeseburger pie tastes so much like its namesake—right down to the pickles in it! We home-school our children so I like easy recipes like this that get them involved in cooking. —Rhonda Cannady, Bartlesville, Oklahoma

Oregon: Roast Leg of Lamb with Rosemary

Roast lamb is perfect for Eastertime or any special occasion. This succulent dish calls for a flavorful rosemary, garlic and onion rub.

Rhode Island: Strawberry Rhubarb Cream

A friend gave me this recipe a long time ago. It’s rich and creamy yet refreshing. I make this often in early summer when rhubarb is readily available. —Norma DesRoches, Warwick, Rhode Island

South Carolina: Lemon Yeast Puffs

The lemon flavor in these yeast muffins makes them unique. My husband is a minister, and we’re invited to many potlucks. People love these muffins.—Marilyn Davis, Elloree, South Carolina

South Dakota: Old-Fashioned Rhubarb Cake

My great-aunt gave me this rhubarb cake recipe. It’s especially delicious when rhubarb is in season, and tastes even better with the old-fashioned milk topping. But you’ll love it even with frozen rhubarb and “modern-day” whipped topping! —Marilyn Homola, Hazel, South Dakota

Tennessee: Moist Lazy Daisy Cake

We always called this Mama’s never-fail recipe. I guess the same holds true for me, since I’ve won contests with this lazy daisy cake. The tasty dessert always brings back fond memories of Mama. —Carrie Bartlett, Gallatin, Tennessee

Texas: Easy Creamy Chicken Enchiladas

I adapted the recipe for these rich and creamy enchiladas from a cooking class I had a while back. —Janice Montiverdi, Sugar Land, Texas

Utah: Sweet ‘n’ Tangy Carrots

With an irresistible brown sugar-mustard sauce, these simple simmered carrots bring bright flavor and color to the table. —Paula Zsiray, Logan, Utah

Vermont: Dilled Salmon Omelets with Creme Fraiche

This is one of our biggest hits on our inn’s menu. It has so much flavor with the dill and rich salmon that it will impress everyone at how fancy it is.—Susan Goodman, Wilmington, Vermont

Virginia: Sugar-Glazed Ham

This old-fashioned ham glaze gives a pretty, golden brown coating—just like Grandma used to make. The mustard and vinegar complement the brown sugar which adds a tangy flavor to this glazed ham recipe. Be prepared to serve seconds, but first learn how to carve a ham! —Carol Strong Battle, Heathville, Virginia

Washington: Toasted Chicken Salad Sandwiches

I love chicken salad sandwiches. For this recipe, I use a rotisserie chicken from the supermarket and toss it with avocado oil mayonnaise, capers and dill relish, then layer it on crusty bread with sliced radishes and butter lettuce. You can vary the flavor by adding herbs or some finely diced roasted red peppers. —David Ross, Spokane Valley, Washington

West Virginia: Easter Egg Bread

I’ve made this Easter treat for 20 years! Colored hard-cooked eggs baked in the dough give this sweet bread such a festive look. Leave them out and it can be enjoyed anytime of year. My husband especially enjoys this bread with baked ham. —Heather Durante, Wellsburg, West Virginia

Wisconsin: Vertical Carrot Cake

This vertical spin on a cherished classic is packed with spices and sure to impress. The brown butter cream cheese frosting truly takes the cake over the top! —Mark Neufang, Milwaukee, Wisconsin

Wyoming: Creamy Ham & Potatoes

If you love scalloped potatoes, this downsized version with tender chunks of ham is just for you. The cozy, comforting entree comes courtesy of Wendy Rowley from Green River, Wyoming.